Coteaux

/koʊˈtoʊz/ noun

Definition

Plural of coteau; multiple small hills or rises in landscape and terrain, particularly in prairie regions.

Etymology

From French 'coteaux', the plural form of 'coteau' following French pluralization rules (adding '-x' rather than '-s'). Used in geographic and geological contexts.

Kelly Says

When you see French-derived geographical terms like 'coteaux' kept in their plural form, it shows how English borrowed these words wholesale from French explorers, and the French grammar rules got frozen in place as part of the English geographical vocabulary.

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